Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen
The discovery of a body in a car-park in central Auckland has led to police launching a homicide inquiry.
Police were called to a Symonds Street car park about 5.20am, after a man was found with unexplained injuries.
A group of people found the victim beside a vehicle at the open-air car park.
"He appears to have been assaulted and died prior to being found," Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin of Auckland City CIB said in a statement.
"An hour earlier, the man was seen on CCTV in his car at a petrol station, on the corner of Karangahape and Ponsonby roads.
"At this time, we are working to identify the victim and those responsible."
The car-park area will remain under police guard until the scene examination and other inquiries have been completed.
Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, and those who heard or saw anything suspicious to get in touch.
Anyone with information is asked to call 105 and reference the case number 230312/0658, or fill out a report on the 105.police.govt.nz website using 'Update Report'.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.